Garment Donning System and Method

ABSTRACT

A system and method that assists a person in donning clothing on the lower body. A pair of assemblies are each configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing, wherein each assembly comprises a handle with clips carried by the handle, the clips configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing to be donned, and a strap fixed to the handle, wherein the strap is configured to be grasped by a user so that the clothing can be pulled up over the legs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Provisional Application 63/162,811 filed on Mar. 18, 2021, the entire disclosure of which (including text and drawings) is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to clothing.

People with bad backs and other issues (such as pregnancy) that prevent or inhibit bending have difficulty putting on (i.e., donning) undergarments, pajamas, trousers, skirts and the like.

SUMMARY

Featured in this disclosure is a system and method involved in assisting a person in donning (i.e., putting on) clothing on the lower body, such as underwear, pants, skirts, and the like. The system includes a pair of assemblies that are each configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing (e.g., to the waistband). Each assembly is designed to be grasped by one hand. After the clothing has been coupled to the two assemblies, one assembly is grasped with the left hand and the other is grasped with the right hand. Once the legs are properly positioned in the garment the assemblies are lifted up, which lifts the garment up over the legs. The system thus assists in donning clothing without having to stand up or bend over. The system is thus useful for people with physical challenges to be able to dress themselves.

In an example each assembly includes a handle with clips carried by the handle, e.g., a clip fixed to each of the two spaced ends of the handle. In an example the handles are generally “U”-shaped. In an example a strap is fixed to each handle. The straps can be grasped, to extend the reach of the handles. To use this assembly the user would couple the clips to the waistband (e.g., the two clips of one assembly to the left side of the waistband and the two clips of the other assembly to the right side of the waistband). The garment can then be lowered to the floor using the straps, typically with one strap in each hand. The user then steps into the garment. The garment is pulled up over the knees by lifting the straps, typically using both hands. The clips can then be removed from the garment. The garment can then be grasped by the user, who would stand up and lift the garment up, in order to complete the donning process.

The system and method allows people to put on undergarments, pajamas, trousers, skirts and the like without the need to bend over. People with bad backs and other issues that prevent or inhibit bending are thus more self-sufficient. Also, pregnant women who have difficulties bending over can use the system.

All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.

In one aspect, a system that assists a person in donning clothing on the lower body includes a pair of assemblies that are each configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing, wherein each assembly comprises a handle with clips carried by the handle, the clips configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing to be donned, and a strap fixed to the handle, wherein the strap is configured to be grasped by a user so that the clothing can be pulled up over the legs.

In another aspect, a method of donning an article of clothing using a pair of assemblies that are each configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing, wherein each assembly comprises a handle with clips carried by the handle, the clips configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing to be donned, and a strap fixed to the handle, the method comprising attaching the clips to the article of clothing, grasping the two straps, and pulling the clothing up over the legs using the straps.

Some examples include one of the above and/or below features, or any combination thereof. In an example the handles are generally “U”-shaped. In an example each strap ends in an integral strap handle. In an example each handle carries two clips, one on each end of the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of at least one example are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. The figures are included to provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and examples, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of the inventions. In the figures, identical or nearly identical components illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like reference character or numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates two assemblies of an exemplary system clipped to the waistband of an undergarment, with the straps positioned to be grasped by a seated user.

FIG. 2A details an exemplary clip, and FIG. 2B illustrates a terminal part of a handle that engages a clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the systems, methods and apparatuses discussed herein are not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The systems, methods and apparatuses are capable of implementation in other examples and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In particular, functions, components, elements, and features discussed in connection with any one or more examples are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in any other examples.

Examples disclosed herein may be combined with other examples in any manner consistent with at least one of the principles disclosed herein, and references to “an example,” “some examples,” “an alternate example,” “various examples,” “one example” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described may be included in at least one example. The appearances of such terms herein are not necessarily all referring to the same example.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references to examples, components, elements, acts, or functions of the computer program products, systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including a plurality, and any references in plural to any example, component, element, act, or function herein may also embrace examples including only a singularity. Accordingly, references in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms.

The system of this disclosure includes a pair of identical assemblies 20 and 40, FIG. 1, that are configured to each be removably coupled to an article of clothing (e.g., to the waistband). Each assembly is designed to be grasped by one hand. After the clothing has been coupled to the two assemblies, one assembly is grasped with the left hand and the other is grasped with the right hand. Once the legs are properly positioned in the garment the assemblies are lifted up, which lifts the garment up over the legs. The system thus assists in donning clothing that is meant for the lower body without having to stand up or bend over. The system is thus useful for people with physical challenges to be able to dress themselves.

FIG. 1 illustrates assemblies 20 and 40 clipped to waistband 102 of undergarment 100, with the straps positioned to be grasped by the seated user. In an example each assembly includes a handle (22, 42) with clips (24, 26, 44, 46) carried by the handle, e.g., a clip fixed to each of the two spaced ends of the handle. The handles are rigid (e.g., molded from polycarbonate), but need not be. In an example and as shown the handles are generally “U”-shaped. In an example a flexible strap (28, 48) is fixed to each handle. The strap can be fixed to the handle in a desired fashion, for example using a clip such as a split ring that is coupled to the handle and that can engage the strap, or by fixing a “u” shaped structure to the handle and threading the strap through it. The strap can then be heat-sealed to itself to create a loop that is engaged with the handle.

The straps can be grasped (e.g., by terminal strap handles 30, 50), to extend the reach of the handles. To use this assembly the user would couple the clips to the waistband (e.g., the two clips of the left assembly to the left side of the waistband and the two clips of the right assembly to the right side of the waistband). The garment can then be lowered to the floor using the straps. The user then steps into the garment. The garment is pulled up over the knees of legs 61 and 62 by lifting the straps. The clips can then be removed from the garment. The garment can then be grasped by the user, who would stand up and lift the garment up, in order to complete the donning process.

FIGS. 2A and 2B detail a clip 86 and how portion 84 of clip 86 is coupled at an end 82 of handle 80, for example with shaped recess 84 into which a complimentary shaped top end of handle 91 is fitted. The overhangs can help maintain the clip in the handle. Clip 86 is similar to a common garment clip of the type that is carried on some clothes hangers. Clip 86 includes separable jaws 87 that are separated by squeezing handles 90 and 91 together. The clip is spring loaded such that it will automatically close the jaws once the handles are released.

Having described above several aspects of at least one example, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only, and the scope of the invention should be determined from proper construction of the appended claims, and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system that assists a person in donning clothing on the lower body, comprising: a pair of assemblies that are each configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing, wherein each assembly comprises: a handle with clips carried by the handle, the clips configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing to be donned; and a strap fixed to the handle, wherein the strap is configured to be grasped by a user so that the clothing can be pulled up over the legs.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the handles are generally “U”-shaped.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein each strap ends in an integral strap handle.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein each handle carries two clips, one on each end of the handle.
 5. A method of donning an article of clothing using a pair of assemblies that are each configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing, wherein each assembly comprises a handle with clips carried by the handle, the clips configured to be removably coupled to an article of clothing to be donned, and a strap fixed to the handle, the method comprising: attaching the clips to the article of clothing; grasping the two straps; and pulling the clothing up over the legs using the straps.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the handles are generally “U”-shaped.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein each strap ends in an integral strap handle.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein each handle carries two clips, one on each end of the handle. 